A Special Story

Special Education is the story of parents and teachers who work together to meet the needs of a challenged child with multiple handicaps. It is the story of a child with Learning Disabilities in a regular or special school. It is the story of the gifted child who brings new insights to old problems. Special education is their story, it is also my story.
I decided to become a Special Educator while in my early twenties. It was then, a young and rapidly evolving field. “How can you work in an area where you see so much pain?” I was often asked. To this, I could only say, that if challenged children and their parents could be as gracious as I found them to be, the least that I could do was to help them with my knowledge and training. In fact even after twenty four years, I never find my work to be dry, dull or pedantic.

My association with Sankalp, NWWA Centre for Special Education, began in 1995. Since then, I have worked there in different capacities; as a teacher, counselor, Principal and Activity coordinator. NWWA which runs Sankalp, is a strong force that gives psycho-social support to families of the Naval community. Efforts of NWWA, spanning across a wide spectrum of initiatives, has also helped uplift physically and mentally challenged children, who are viewed as a responsibility of the community. Sankalp caters to the unique needs of the differently abled children of the Naval community. Children who come to Sankalp are not just the developmentally handicapped but also those with Speech Impairment and Behavioral Problems. Sankalp follows a multi-disciplinary approach in screening, diagnosis and training. A comprehensive evaluation of each child is also done at regular intervals. The moment a student steps into Sankalp, he or she is in a learning mode. Be it concepts of laterality, numeracy or leisure time activities, everything is taught to the child, using different teaching techniques.

In my thirteen years of association with Sankalp, I must have ‘taught’ almost a hundred students. I can still picture them; each one has such a unique and distinct personality. Let my story now include some names. When my thirteen years old student Alka, learnt to go alone to a grocery shop, inside Nau Sena Baugh, to buy items like bread, milk and paneer, her parents were overjoyed. The mother came to me and said,”Madam, this is the best bread that we have ever eaten”. Her joy found an echo in my heart. This is my ‘taste’ of success.
Kunwar, was a physically handicapped eight year old boy. He was non-verbal, non-ambulatory and had no functional use of his limbs or hands. But in his eyes there was a gleam and on his lips, a smile that lit up his ever clenched teeth. I knew he could learn. So I taught him to ‘open his mouth’ when told, so that he could be fed, have his teeth brushed and accept medicines. This helped his mother significantly. Although this achievement was too tiny to help Kunwar directly, but indirectly this hopeful experience resulted in him getting more frequent and positive interaction from others. These seemingly small accomplishment help improve the quality of life for the student and their families. Another one of the many high points at Sankalp (V) was when Santosh, one of our children, was appointed as office help, at an Admiral’s office in 2000. I had helped train him in areas of Self Care and Social Skills and by being an able worker; he has given me good reasons to feel proud.
Where are my students now? Some are married, some have found employment as office boys, some are helpers in store houses and shops, one is a beautician, some have cleared their X standard exams through N.I.O.S, some have been integrated into main stream schools, whilst some are still at school or at home. And how has my experience with them been? Rewarding, exciting, challenging and exhausting …. These are a few descriptors that come to mind!

Special educators, assistant teachers, doctors and other professionals can make a difference to the child and his welfare when they work collaboratively to select and teach meaningful skills to the child to enhance his quality of life at home, at school and in the community. I see our team, of educators, parents, doctors and NWWA as a kaleidoscope, a beautiful instrument that brings changes constantly. It is a medley of people working together to make something unique and better happen. It is more than what any one can do alone.
So what has being a Special Educator taught me? Well, I have learned to feel good about myself even if the results of my efforts are not measured by conventional standards. From my students and their parents, I have learnt that it is possible even in the midst of hardship, to experience simple pleasures. I now rejoice in their delight and am filled with hope, faith, gratitude and admiration in their belief, that all is right and beautiful in this world.

I owe a great debt to my students, for over the years they have taught me a great deal. And my ‘Calling’ of 24 years, is to me like a loving friendship which is deeper than a definition and which continues to draw me, to contribute to the still ongoing story of Sankalp and Special Education.

Kalpana Ravinder
(Special Educator )